The Irish Breeders Classic Show ran last month, 4th-7th September, and was a success beyond all expectations. From the onset signs were good; entries in the Irish Breeders Classic and the 4 y.o Irish Breeders Championship were up 50% to 97 and 59 respectively. Entries for other classes were up by 180 and 250 horses were stabled on site. A larger than usual crowd attended the show on Thursday and Friday. The main reason for this was most likely the addition of the Supreme Sale of Showjumpers hosted on Friday night by Goresbridge Horse Sales. A very professionally put together display of young showjumpers for auction took place on Thursday and Friday and there were many positive comments on the set up and format of the display.
On Friday night Ard Ginger Pop topped the auction at €95,000 and she was bought by Enda Carroll and Carl Hanley over the telephone from Germany. Talks Cheap was snapped up at €50,000 by the same pair .13 horses averaged €28,520. This is a major boost to the IBC as 2% of the turnover of the auction will go into the IBC prizefund. The clearance rate on the night was disappointing however what did sell sold extremely well and I have no doubt that next year the clearance rate will be much improved.
There were a steady flow of foreign and domestic clients trying horses all week and I understand that many have agreed sale and are awaiting vettings. Last year 9 horses were sold outside auctions and I expect this figure will be well passed this year.
Exciting news filtered around the grounds on Sunday morning; Carl Hanley and Enda Carrol had decided to jump on a plane last minute and come to see their new purchases battle it out for their share of the €50,000 on offer. The trip was worthwhile as Talks Cheap won and Ard Ginger Pop finished 7th. I am informed that they tried out another one of the horses that finished in the lineup and a substantial offer is on the table.
The €5,000 IBC Consolation Final was won by the very consistent Alberta Mist and Greg Broderick. This was another victory for a rider that has dominated the young horse classes this year and has a vast team of young horses to call upon for the big days.
11 foals were auctioned off after the Grand Final on Sunday and 7 were sold for an average of €6,400. Though this was a wonderful result I am certain this can be improved upon in the future.
The results that followed a few weeks later at the World Breeding Championships in Lanaken, Belguim really ‘put the icing on the cake’. Ard Ginger Pop finished second in the 5 y.o Championships for her new owners and rider. Deep Pockets and Puss in Boots who both competed in the IBC showed well there also with Puss in Boots and Lucy Buchanan placing third in the 5 y.o Consolation Final and Jim Derwin qualifying for the Final with his Deep Pockets only to have the last down in the first round.
The Irish Breeders Classic was set up to generate demand for Irish born horses and in the first two years of the event I could see that it was having a small impact but in 2014 it has made a giant leap in the right direction but this is only a taste of what the Irish Breeders Classic can do for the Irish sporthorse industry.
Next year we aim to develop the auctions at the show, get more clients to the show and add a €5,000 7 y.o class open to horses from any country of birth.